Backpack for breathing tanks

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for carrying a tank of compressed breathing gas on the back of a user having a main back plate molded portion with handle openings and webs therein, and slits for receiving shoulder straps. The shoulder straps are looped through the back plate slits and webs in a continuous manner to form a combination shoulder, chest, and waist strap interconnected by means of two quick release fittings. 
     The quick release fittings comprise an upper and lower buckle fitting. The upper buckle fitting has four transverse members and the lower buckle fitting is fundamentally a rectangular loop with two transverse members. 
     The breathing gas tank is secured to the plastic molded back plate by means of a surrounding band assembly that is secured to the plate by means of U-bolts. The band assembly can be expanded or contracted by adjustment of the U-bolts and a hooked tongue which secures the band to the plastic plate, as well as by means of an adjustable over-center latch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of this invention lies within the self contained breathingapparatus art. More specifically, it resides within the field ofcarrying a tank of breathing gas under pressure on the back of a userfor facilitating general usage of self contained underwater breathingapparatus as well as usage of the breathing gas in other hostileenvironments.

2. The Prior Art

The prior art related to carrying breathing gas under pressure on auser's back comprises numerous devices. One of the devices incorporatedutilization of a thin sheetlike material having crossover strapsattached thereto which can be placed across the user's shoulders. Thethin sheet-like material upon which the breathing gas tank rests, tendsto be burdensome to a user and also cuts into a user's back.

Other prior art discloses the utilization of a molded backpack having asurface which supposedly conforms to a user's back. However, as can beappreciated, not every user has the same back conformation. As aconsequence, such a backpack type of plate does not conform to theuser's back and oftentimes is uncomfortable.

Another form of backpack assembly utilizes a series of straps whichsupposedly enhance the carrying of the backpack. In addition thereto,the back plate incorporates a double pair of strap in order to hold abreathing gas tank thereon. The double pair of straps have a specificconformation in order to orient the tank in a position so that it is notimbalanced with respect to a user.

Other backpacks for breathing gas purposes incorporate a resilient selfsupporting back plate. The resilient self supporting back plate has twowings which override a user's shoulders in order to maintain thebackplate in a hanging position against a user's back. The two wingswhich overlie a user's shoulder are burdensome, because they are stiffand unyielding to a user's body.

A further improvement in backpacks incorporates the utilization of aplastic backpack conforming to a tank which is to be carried. However,it has been found that variously sized tanks and variously sized userscannot be accommodated to this type of backpack. Specifically, this typeof backpack eliminates a snug fitting relationship of the backpack to auser's back.

In addition to all the foregoing drawbacks with regard to theconformation of a backpack to a user, it has also been found that suchbackpacks are not capable of being jettisoned. In other words, when adiver or one in a hostile environment must escape, it is oftentimesnecessary to jettison the self contained breathing apparatus.Specifically, when a diver is down for a certain length of time and mustreach the surface, he oftentimes finds it necessary to jettison hisentire backpack and self contained underwater breathing apparatus.

The prior art does not provide for a quick release of the self containedunderwater breathing apparatus. As a consequence, a diver must normallyunstrap the waistband, as well as the shoulder straps in order torelease his selfcontained underwater breathing apparatus.

Additionally, it has been found that the prior art backpacks do notaccommodate variously sized pressure tanks that a user of self containedbreathing apparatus utilizes. Furthermore, when the entire assembly ofthe self contained breathing apparatus, the backpack, and the tankutilized therewith are carried, it is cumbersome.

This invention overcomes the prior art deficiencies by providing areadily conformed backpack assembly which adapts itself to both the userand the variously sized tanks to be utilized therewith. The inventionalso has a number of handles or carrying openings which can serve theuser effectively for moving the tank with the backpack assembly attachedthereto.

More importantly, the entire strap or harness assembly utilizes a quickrelease fixture. This enables the user to jettison the backpack assemblyin a quick and facile manner by merely pushing upwardly on theprotruding portion on the buckle, in the case of the shoulder straps,and pulling outwardly on the protruding portion of the buckle, in thecase of the waist strap. Thus, when the backpack is jettisoned, the userneed merely lift up on a portion of the fixture and the entire assemblyfalls free from the user's shoulders. This enables the user to easilyjettison the backpack and the tank without any substantial risk, and inan easy and facile manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In summation, this invention comprises a novel backpack having a newimproved harness release mechanism and tank securement means.

More specifically, the invention comprises A contoured plastic moldedback plate having hand grips therein. The back plate also has slits andwebs for purposes of receiving the harness. The harness is adjustablewith fixtures which also provide a quick release mechanism. The fixturescomprise an upper and lower buckle respectively having four and twotransverse members through which the harness straps are looped.

A high pressure breathing gas tank is secured to a contoured portion ofthe backpack plate by a band assembly. The band assembly can beadjustably moved with respect to openings within the band of the bandassembly and secured by an overcenter latching tongue which engages theopenings within the band. The entire backpack with the straps and bandassembly, is carried by the handles and forms a compact and easily usedapparatus for carrying a tank of breathing gas under pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the entire backpack with theharnesses prepared to receive a user;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the quick release fixtures used to securethe harness, along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view delineating the relationship of the strapsto the securement fixture along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a view of the securement fixture shown in the foregoingfigures wherein it has been opened in order to release the pressure onthe straps so that the backpack can be jettisoned.

FIG. 5 shows an elevation view of the backpack in the direction of lines5--5 of FIG. 1 at the surface, wherein the backpack is adjacent to auser's back;

FIG. 6 shows a view of the elements of the strap securement fixturewithout the straps wound therethrough;

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the band along lines 7--7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows a view detailing an alternative embodiment for securing theband to the backpack plate;

FIG. 9 shows a view of the overcenter latching means as it actuallyappears along lines 9--9 of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 10 shows a side elevation view of the latching means in thedirection of lines 10--10 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS General Backplate Configuration

Looking more particularly at FIG. 1, the entire backpack apparatusassembly is shown. The backpack apparatus has a plastic molded backplate 10. The plastic molded back plate 10 can be molded or formed ofany material. The particular embodiment of the back plate 10 in thisinstance is formed from a blow molded plastic and has a space therein.Thus, the entire backpack plate 10 is of a double walled configurationhaving a front and back wall with a void therebetween.

The back plate 10 is provided with openings 12 at the top, and 14 and 16at the lower lateral portions. The openings 12, 14 and 16 facilitatecarrying the entire backpack by providing hand grips through which auser's hand can reach and grasp. In this manner, the entire apparatuswhen it is utilized with a tank of breathing gas, can be moved in afacile manner.

The backpack plate, being hollow, sometimes takes on water. As aconsequence, an opening 18 is provided at the top for a drainage ventand also two openings 17 and 19 in the base to allow drainage from thevoid within the backpack.

The backpack plate is configured with a curved portion or surface 20where it receives a tank of breathing gas that is not shown.Additionally thereto, the backpack has a curved configuration with twowings 22 and 24 which curve to confrom to the general physiologicalfeatures of a user's back. In addition to the foregoing curve, an upperportion or neck 26 near the hand grip opening 12 is configured to bendforwardly in the direction of a user's back neck area, so that theentire back plate 10 will conform to the physiological conformation of auser. The curve of the neck 26 also provides clearance so that it willnot hit a regulator which is mounted on the top of a tank held by thebackpack.

Band Assembly

The plastic molded back plate 10 has a depression below the surface ofthe generally rounded concave portion 20. The depression 32 provides forthe extension of a band assembly 34. The band assembly 34 is firstlycomprised of a metal band 36 with a plastic or elastomeric linermaterial 40 having serrations or ribs 42 thereon. The plastic orelastomeric material is turned over at edges 44 and 46 to provide agripping of the metal band material 36. The band 36 seats within thedepression 32 when the tank is resting against the band and is clampedthereby.

The metal band material 36 is coined out at openings 48. The coined outportion eliminates ripping the metal band by tension put thereon, aswell as holding the respective ends of the latches to be described, awayfrom a tank surface attached to the pack to prevent the possibility ofdamage to its surface finish.

The band assembly 34 in FIG. 1 is shown held by two U-bolts 54 and 56.The U-bolts 54 and 56 are threaded to receive a series of wing nuts 60.The wing nuts 60 can be utilized with two elongated oval plates 62 and64 to hold the U-bolts 54 and 56 in two respective depressions 66 and 68that have been molded into the back of the plate 10. The plates 62 and64 prevent the U-bolts 54 and 56 from pulling through the plate 10 bydistributing the load caused by clamping the tank, over a wider surfacearea. Thus, the plates 62 and 64 are counter sunk with their respectivewing nuts 60 into the interior cross section area of the back plate 10.This eliminates any protrusion of the wing nuts 60 against the back of auser when the back plate is lying against a user's back.

The U-bolts 54 and 56 respectively receive round cylindrical endportions of the band 36. The band 36 terminates at U-bolt 54 in arounded cylindrical turned over portion. It is fundamentally rolled backon itself to provide a cylindrical opening for journalling the U-bolt54.

The other end of the band 36 serves the function of adjusting thecircumference of the band to accommodate variously sized tanks therein.This is accomplished by means of a snap buckle or latch assembly 66generally shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The latch assembly 66 comprises ahooked tongue 68 which hooks into the coined out openings 48 of the band36. The tongue, or hook 68 is pivotally connected to a pin 70. The pin70 is transversely riveted through a lever handle 72, which is turnedunder at point 74 at its end. The lever handle 72 is pivotally connectedto a pin 76 attached to a securement member 78 having a turned overportion 80 that serves to journal the U-bolt 56.

The hook 68 provides for tension being placed on the band 36 so that itcan snugly secure a tank on the concave portion 20 of the back plate 10.When the handle 72 is pulled outwardly, it releases tension on the hook68 so that it can be released from the coined out opening 48.

The latch 66 effectively is an over center type of latch that appliestension to the tongue 68 to hold a tank in place. The over centerrelationship is maintained when the end portion 74 of the handle 72 isfrictionally engaged on the rounded rolled over cylindrical portion 80of the securement member 78. This frictional engagement of the endportion 74 provides a safety feature due to its snap-over fit requiringa concentrated effort to pull the handle 72 open. Thus, the latch handle72 cannot be easily pulled open by accident, causing a tank held in theband 36 to fall out.

The band 36 is provided with a handle 86 having two attachment members88 and 90 that are affixed to the band 36. The attachment members 88 and90 pivotally connect the handle by a pin 92 at each member so that onecan freely pick up the entire band assembly 36 with the back plate 10attached thereto. In this manner, the entire assembly can pivot on thepin 92 and be easily carried at the most desirable pivotal relationshipthereto.

Harness Arrangement

Looking more particularly at the harness arrangement, a pair of shoulderstraps 90 and 92 are shown formed as a continuous strap through slittype openings 94 and 96 which are angled to place the straps in aphysiologically compatible position within the plastic molded back plate10. The openings 94 and 96 receive a continuous strap 90 and 92 which isformed as a continuously webbed strap and folded over into a triangularconfiguration 98. The triangular folded over configuration 98 isstitched together with stitching 100 for purposes of providing a flatsecurement of the straps 90 and 92 to the back plate 10. The stitchconfiguration also provides an enlarged area which will not be pulledthrough the openings 94 and 96.

The shoulder straps 90 and 92 are turned or looped over at their endsand stitched down by stitching 102 and 104. The stitching serves tosecure a securement fixture 106 which is comprised of an upper loop orbuckle fixture 108 and a lower loop or buckle fixture 110.

The upper and lower loops or buckle fixtures are secured together by thestitched over webbing 102 and 104. In other words, the strap 92 issecured by the stitching 102 in a looped over manner providing a loop112 which secures the respective buckle fixtures 108 and 110 forming theentire securement fixture 106.

The shoulder straps are secured to the lower straps or chest strapsrespectively 116 and 118 by the securement fixture 106. The chest straps116 and 118 form a continuous harness to be utilized in its continuousconformation as a left and right hand waist strap respectively 120 and122. The waist strap 120 has a buckle 124 which serves to receive theterminal end of the waist strap portion 122.

The waist straps and chest straps in their continuum are looped throughthe back plate 10 which comprises a pair of openings 128 and 130 thatreceive a loop 132 of the waist and chest straps. The openings 128 and130 are formed between the ribs 134, 136 and 137 which are utilized forwrapping the loop 132 therearound.

Thus, the chest and waist straps respectively 116, 118, 120 and 122 area continuum and are merely looped through the respective openings 128and 130 and the ribs 134, 136 and 137.

The buckle 124 is formed with a pivotal handle 140 having a cleatingmember not shown. The pivotal handle 140 releases the cleating memberwhen it is pulled upwardly or outwardly from the buckle 124 to allow theterminal end of the waist strap 122 to pass therethrough in anunobstructed manner. Thus, when it is not being pulled upwardly, itcompresses the terminal end of the waist strap 122 against the cleatingmember which secures the webbing therein.

The buckle 124 has openings 144 into which the terminal end passes. Alooped over portion of the waist strap 146 passes through the other endof the buckle 124 in order to join the waist straps 120 and 122 togetherby means of the buckle 124.

Looking more particularly at FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the lower loop or bucklefixture 110 is shown with the upper loop or buckle fixture 108 connectedtherethrough by the strap loop 112. The lower buckle fixture 110 hasinside and outside transverse members 150 and 152 respectively thatserve the function of overlying the strap 118 and passing through theloop 112. In effect, the lower buckle fixture 110 is a reactangular loopwherein transverse members 150 and 152 form two parallel sides of therectangle.

The top loop or buckle fixture member 108 is comprised of a forwardD-shaped handle element 160 and a tranverse member 162 which is securedwithin the loop strap 112. The inner transverse member 162 and theforward D-shaped portion 160 forms a forward and rear portion of ahandle having generally parallel sides 164 and 166 with two intermediatetransverse members 168 and 170 respectively referred to as a rearwardand forward intermediate member.

The transverse members 162 and 170 are such that they serve tointerconnect and bind the shoulder and chest straps together. Theforward intermediate transverse member 170 serves the function ofholding the strap loop 180 formed around it. In effect, the chest strap118 is looped around the forward intermediate member 170 and over thetransverse member 152 of the lower loop. When the strap end 184 ispulled, the chest and shoulder harness is put in tension, which causestransverse member 152 to pull up tightly against strap 118, resulting inloop 180 placed in a binding relationship tightly between transversemembers 152 and 170.

When the shoulder straps 90 and 92 are loaded under tension, they servethe function of placing the respective shoulder straps and chest strapsin tension and are interconnected by the securement member 106.

In the condition of tension, the transverse members 170 and 152 tend toplace a bite on the loop 180 so that the terminal end 184 of the strap118 does not slip around the forward transverse member 170.

When the D-handle portion 160 is lifted upwardly, it allows a release ofthe terminal end 184 by eliminating the bite placed on the loop 180 sothat it is allowed to slip through the looped configuration that it isin.

Alternative Band Assembly Means

Looking more particularly at FIG. 8, the U-bolt 56 is shown attached tothe back plate 10 with the coined out openings 48 shown.

The band 36 is secured by means of an alternative member 200 having acurved end portion 202 which is used to secure the member 200 within theopenings 48. At the other end of the member 200, a transverse portionthereof is rolled over to form a cylinder 206 which wraps around andjournals the transverse portion of the U-bolt 56. In this manner, wingnuts 60 attached to the U-bolt 56 can tighten the curved or hookedportion into the opening 48 so that the strap 36 is secured tightlyaround a breathing gas tank.

The foregoing alternative embodiment does not provide the flexibility ofthe overcenter operation of the latch handle 72 generally shown in FIGS.9 and 10. However, it does provide an effective means for securing thestrap 36 with a degree of adjustment thereof with respect to differentlysized breathing gas tanks.

Operation of the Invention

In operation, a cylinder of breathing gas is placed within the band 36so that it lies snugly aganist the concavity 20 of the back plate 10.The band 36 is then adjustably oriented with respect to the positionthat the catch or latch 66 is with respect to the openings 48. In otherwords, when the cylindrical tank has a larger circumference than theband, the handle 72 is released and the band is drawn out to a greatercircumference. The handle 72 is then returned to its position forsecurely tightening the tank therein. The ribbed portion 42 of theelastomeric liner 40 tightly grips the tank to prevent slippage of thetank due to its sometimes smooth surface. Furthermore, it avoids theproblem of having substantial abrasion or corrosion against the surfaceof the tank by providing an elastomeric or plastic interface.

When the tank is positioned and resting tightly within the concavity 20of the back plate, the entire assembly can be placed over a diver'sshoulders. Specifically, the shoulder straps 90 and 92 are placed overthe shoulders with the chest straps 116 and 118 over the chest. Thebuckle 124 can then secure the waist straps 120 and 122 therein, so thatthe entire assembly is in tightened position and in conformation to adiver's body.

The terminal end 184 of the straps 116 and 118 can be pulled downwardlyin order to tighten the relationship of the respective chest andshoulder straps over a diver's body. When they are pulled down, theytend to cause a snug relationship to the entire backpack on a diver'sshoulders.

The relationship of the loops or buckle fixtures 108 and 110 in thisparticular conformation allow for a securement of the straps 90, 92, 116and 118 so that they do not pull apart. Afterwards, the entire cheststrap and shoulder strap conformation is completely secured and will notpull apart until the D-portion 160 of the upper loop or buckle fixture108 is lifted upwardly or outwardly.

Looking more particularly at FIGS. 3 and 4, it is seen in FIG. 3 wherethe strap 118 is in tension and is held around the forward transverseintermediate member 170. When the D-portion 160 of the upper ring islifted, it tends to relieve the loop 180 so that it can pass therearoundso that the terminal end will pass out from the secured relationship. Inthis manner, the entire backpack can be jettisoned and left in situ.This, of course, is highly important when a diver wishes to extricatehimself from a position or swim to the surface.

It should be understood that different embodiments and combinations canbe utilized in the foregoing combination as they relate to the straps,buckle arrangement, and the back plate, as well as the band assembly. Asa consequence, this invention is only to be read in light of the scopeand spirit of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. Apparatus for carrying a tank of breathing gas on the backof a user comprising:a back plate having a conformation suitable forreceipt of a tank of breathing gas thereon; a band assembly which has anadjustable linkage therewith for securely affixing the breathing gastank to the back plate; a harness comprising shoulder straps and cheststraps secured to the back plate and connected by a securement fixturecomprising overlying and underlying loops, wherein said upper loop isformed of four transverse members extending across two spaced axialmembers and one of said transverse members forms a lifting handle thatdoes not form a bight with any portion of the straps, said lower loopbeing a substantially rectangularly shaped loop, and wherein saidshoulder strap is looped around both of said loops and fastened forsecurement thereof, and said chest strap is looped over a transversemember of said upper loop and under and through said lower loop of saidsecurement fixture for securing it thereto.
 2. The apparatus as claimedin claim 1 wherein:said shoulder strap is fixedly looped over the endtransverse portions of the upper and lower loops and is passed under andintermediate transverse member of said upper loop prior to passingaround and under the transverse portion of said lower loop.
 3. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein:said chest strap has a leadingend forming a loop within said lower loop and is completely looped overan intermediate transverse member of said upper loop; and, said liftinghandle overlies said chest strap.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3wherein:said upper and lower loops are formed to hold the chest strapand shoulder strap in tightened securement when the chest straps arepassed therethrough and the two are respectively placed in tension andjoined by said securement.
 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4wherein:said securement is released by lifting up the lifting handlefrom over the chest straps.
 6. Apparatus for carrying a tank ofbreathing gas on the back of a user comprising:a back plate having aconformation suitable for receipt of a tank of breathing gas thereon; aharness comprising shoulder straps and chest straps secured to the backplate and connected by a securement fixture comprising overlying andunderlying loops wherein one of said loops is formed of at least threetransverse members extending between two spaced axial members and saidsecond loop has two transverse members, one of which is connected to atransverse member of said first loop by the shoulder strapinterconnecting the two members; an assembly for affixing the tank tothe back plate comprising a band having a loop at a terminal end and aU-bolt having a transverse end passing through the loop and secured atits ends to said back plate, wherein a plurality of openings within themetal band are provided therein and a second U-bolt is secured to theback plate with means adapted to connect said band opening to saidsecond U-bolt for adjustably changing the circumference of said bandwith respect to the position of said connecting means as placed withrespect to the openings of said band, and further comprising a resilientmaterial placed into the interior portion of said band where itinterfaces with a pressurized tank of gas being carried.
 7. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said connecting membercomprises:a securement member having a rounded cylindrical portionthrough which said second U-bolt transverse member passes; a handlepivotally connected to said securement member; and, a tongue pivotallyconnected to said handle having a hook at the terminal end thereof forreceipt within the openings of said band.
 8. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 7 wherein:said handle is pivotally mounted by a pin through saidsecurement member; and, said handle has an angular projection at the endthereof which seats over the rounded cylindrical portion of saidsecurement member.
 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 furthercomprising:a carrying handle pivotally mounted to said band.